MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Rays, 7:10 PM

The New York Mets take a six-game winning streak into Tropicana Field this weekend for an interleague matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.09) opposes right-hander Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.66) in Friday night’s 7:10 PM series opener.

Mets starters have allowed two runs or less in 10 of their last 11 games dating to July 25 and have posted a 1.93 ERA during that span. Overall this season, Mets starters rank fourth in the majors with a 3.29 ERA.

Mets Starting Lineup

Curtis Granderson – RF

Daniel Murphy – DH

Yoenis Cespedes – CF

Lucas Duda – 1B

Juan Uribe – 3B

Michael Conforto – LF

Travis d’Arnaud – C

Kelly Johnson – 2B

Wilmer Flores – SS

I like this lineup a lot!

The Mets look to keep the winning streak going tonight as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Yesterday the Mets were off and the Nationals won, so they dropped within 1.5 games back of first place.

In Mets-land though, David Wright continued to take BP and balls in the field and Terry went to go see some Mets players working through their rehab. It is important to remember that even though the Rays don’t have the most amazing record, they are very much still in a race for a playoff spot, although they are on the outskirts right now.

Jacob deGrom is 10-6 over 20 starts and 133.1 innings with a 2.09 ERA with 135 strikeouts. In his last 13 starts, he is 7-2 over 91.2 innings with 98 K’s and an 1.47 ERA. This will be Jacob’s first time facing the Rays but he has faced two players on their roster before. Sizemore is 2-9 against him while Asdrubal Cabrera is 0-2.

It will be a battle of the Jakes tonight as Jake Odorizzi takes the mound for the Rays. He was 6-6 over 17 starts and 103.2 innings with a 2.86 ERA in what is by far his best season in the majors. Since the All-Star break Jake has made 4 starts pitching 21.1 innings with 19 K’s and a 5.06 ERA. Only one start has been better than average in the stretch. Odorizzi has never faced the Mets before but a few Mets have faced him:

I’ve been writing the Game Preview posts at MMO since 2008 and worrying about the Mets roster for pretty much my entire life. When I’m not watching the Mets, I’m a Physics Teacher in Newark, NJ. You can follow me on twitter @213mfs